Flat cable connector with additional lead-fixing nodules

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a continuation-in-part of Taiwan Utility No. 89211727. The present invention relates to a flat cable connector with additional lead-fixing nodules which at least includes a main body and a connecting seat. The connecting seat has a plurality of lead grooves at one end thereof in each of which a nodule is fitted. In assembly, leads of the flat cable are engaged into the lead grooves, and the nodules are used to press against the leads so that the leads are fixed in place and won&#39;t be removed from the lead grooves. Thereafter, the connecting seat is secured to the main body such that the leads and the terminals on the main body are firmly joined. Accordingly, the assembly of the flat cable connector is more rapid and convenient, and the quality is more ensured.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a divisional application of Ser. No. 09/797,836 entitled: “FLAT CABLE CONNECTOR WITH ADDITIONAL LEAD-FIXING NODULES”, now allowed. This application is also related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,545, entitled “FLAT CABLE CONNECTOR”, which was invented by the same inventor as this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is a continuation-in-part of Taiwan Utility No. 89211727.

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a flat cable connector with additional lead-fixing nodules, and more particularly, to a flat cable connector having a plurality of lead grooves in each of which a nodule is fitted. In assembly, leads of the flat cable are engaged into the lead grooves, and the nodules are used to press against the leads so that the leads are fixed in place and won't be removed from the lead grooves. Thereafter, the connecting seat is secured to the main body such that the leads and the terminals on the main body are firmly joined. Accordingly, the assembly of the flat cable connector is more rapid and convenient, and the quality is more ensured.

[0005] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0006] In a conventional flat cable connector, as shown in FIG. 1, leads of a flat cable 300 are respectively inserted in guide grooves 2001 of a connector 200, whereupon the connector 200 is secured to a main body 100 such that terminals on the main body 100 is in contact with the leads, thereby creating a closed circuit.

[0007] However, the aforementioned flat cable connector has its drawbacks as follows:

[0008] 1. The assembly of the leads is in an inserting way so that it's difficult, time-wasting and work-wasting.

[0009] 2. As the leads are assembled in an inserting way so that the thinner and softer flat cable can hardly be inserted smoothly. Accordingly, the processing work is more difficult.

[0010] In order to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks, a flat cable connector of Taiwan Utility No. 89211727 is disclosed by the inventor of the present invention. The flat cable connector doesn't have a special member to fix the leads in the lead grooves so that the leads are easily removed from the lead grooves during the processing work, especially for thinner leads.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] It is a primary object of the present invention to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks and to provide a flat cable connector which at least includes a main body and a connecting seat. The connecting seat has a plurality of lead grooves at one end thereof in each of which a nodule is fitted. In assembly, leads of the flat cable are engaged into the lead grooves, and the nodules are used to press against the leads so that the leads are fixed in place and won't be removed from the lead grooves. Thereafter, the connecting seat is secured to the main body such that the leads and the terminals on the main body are firmly joined. Accordingly, the assembly of the flat cable connector is more rapid and convenient, and the quality is more ensured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The drawings disclose illustrative an embodiment of the present invention which serves to exemplify the various advantages and objects hereof, and are as follows:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional flat cable connector of Taiwan Utility No. 89211727;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another conventional flat cable connector;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembly of a connecting seat and a flat cable of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0017]FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018]FIGS. 1 and 2 show perspective assembly views of the conventional flat cable connectors of Taiwan Utility No. 89211727. The configuration and the disadvantage thereof have been shown above and won't be described more hereinafter.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 3, the flat cable connector in accordance with the present invention at least includes a main body 1 and a connecting seat 2. The main body 1 constructed as a hollow body has a plurality of grooves 11 at one end of the top side thereof in each of which a terminal 12 is disposed. The connecting seat 2 includes a through hole 21 at a proper position thereof and a plurality of lead grooves 22 at one end thereof while the position of the lead grooves 22 corresponds to that of the terminals 12. A nodule 221 is fitted to each of the lead grooves 22.

[0020] In reference to FIG. 4 together with FIG. 5, a flat cable 3 passes from the bottom of the connecting seat 2 through the through hole 21 while leads 31 of the flat cable 3 are respectively engaged into the corresponding lead grooves 22. Thereafter, the leads 31 are bent at the end of the connecting seat 2. Then, the connecting seat 2 is inserted in the main body I in such a way that the leads 31 are in contact with the terminals 12 so that a closed circuit is created. The nodules 221 are used to press against the leads 31 so that the leads 31 are fixed in place and won't be removed from the lead grooves 22 during the assembly, and the quality can be secured.

[0021] Many changes and modifications in the above-described embodiment of the invention can, of course, be carried out without departing from the scope thereof. Accordingly, to promote the progress in science and the useful arts, the invention is disclosed and is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claim. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A flat cable connector with additional lead-fixing nodules at least comprising: a main body in shape of a hollow case having a plurality of grooves near an end of one side thereof in each of which a terminal is provided; a connecting seat having a through hole at a proper position of one end thereof while the position of said through hole corresponds to that of said terminals, a nodule being fitted in each of said lead grooves; wherein, in assembly, a flat cable passes from the bottom of said connecting seat through said through hole while leads of said flat cable are respectively engaged into said corresponding lead grooves, whereupon said leads are bent at the end of said connecting seat, and said connecting seat is, thereafter, inserted in said main body in such a way that said leads are in contact with said terminals so that a closed circuit is created, and wherein said nodules are used to press against said leads so that the leads are fixed in place and won't be removed from said lead grooves during the assembly for securing the quality thereof.
 2. A flat cable connector for side engagement for leads, comprising: a main body further comprising: a hollow case having a main opening, a plurality of grooves positioned at an end opposite to the opening; and a plurality of terminals, each of the terminals positioned in each one of the grooves; a connecting seat further comprising: a through hole extending through upper and lower sides thereof as a passage for the cable which having a plurality of leads; and a plurality of lead grooves, each of the lead grooves having one side opening through the lead groove for each of the leads to lay down to the groove from the side opening; and said connecting seat being coupled with said main body through said main opening, and each of said leads being electrically coupled to each of said terminals.
 3. A method for flat cable connector assembly with side engagement for leads, comprising: (1) providing a main body further comprising: a hollow case having a main opening, a plurality of grooves positioned at an end opposite to the opening; and a plurality of terminals, each of the terminals positioned in each one of the grooves; (2) providing a connecting seat further comprising: a through hole extending through upper and lower sides thereof as a passage for the cable which having a plurality of leads; and a plurality of lead grooves, each of the lead grooves having one side opening through the lead groove for each of the leads to lay down to the groove from the side opening; and (3) coupling said connecting seat with said main body through said main opening, and each of said leads being electrically coupled to each of said terminals. 